Bill > A5579

Introduced Session

This bill imposes certain requirements on a motorist when the motorist is overtaking pedestrians, certain bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and any other personal conveyances permitted under law. Under the provisions of this bill, the operator of a motor vehicle approaching a pedestrian, bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or other personal conveyance permitted under law is required to approach with due caution and, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows: 1) If possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the pedestrian, bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or other personal conveyance permitted under law; 2) Leave a reasonable and safe distance of not less than four feet while approaching the pedestrian, bicycle, low-speed electric bicycle, low-speed electric scooter, or other personal conveyance permitted under law and maintain this distance until the motor vehicle has safely passed; or 3) If a lane change or leaving a reasonable and safe distance of at least four feet is not possible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, the operator of the motor vehicle is to reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to 25 miles per hour and be prepared to stop. A person violating the provisions of this bill is to be subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500. Under the bill, "pedestrian" includes, but is not limited to, a pedestrian as defined under current law, a person in a wheelchair or motorized wheelchair, a person employed by or who contracts with any public utility company in this State, a property maintenance worker, or any other person who is permitted by law to be upon the roadway for work or recreation.

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Lisa Swain (D)*, 

Combined with A5570/5571/5656 (ACS) (on 06/02/2021)